The Choices We Make
Welcome back, I pray that your day is filled with the miraculous presence of God and that He meets every single need!
Yesterday, we looked at the beginning of the miracle of the loaves and fishes. Today, we'll dive deeper into the choices made by the people in this story and how they relate to our own lives.
The disciples, stressed and focused on their lack, asked in the face of mounting hunger, “How are we going to make this work?” They were looking at the problem, not the Provider. They had just reported to Jesus "all that they had done and taught," so they knew what God could do. But at this moment, they forgot.
We often forget what God has done in our lives. We focus on what we don’t have instead of what’s available to us. But God’s perspective is different. He sees the whole picture, knows what will happen, and wants to help His people. He has the power to meet our needs, regardless of our deserving, and His purpose is to feed both our bodies and our souls.
The key is faith. We can have access to God’s perspective, power, purpose, and plan if we live a life of faith. The people in the crowd were hungry, not just for food, but perhaps for something to believe in, a Messiah. And then there was the boy, a small but crucial part of this miracle.
We all make choices, and the boy’s choices are the same ones we face: involvement versus apathy. Do we get involved in the lives of others, or do we stay on the sidelines? Do we focus on our own needs instead of meeting the needs of others? It’s true, there’s a cost to involvement—time, energy, resources—but there’s also a cost to apathy.
I remember a story of a pastor visiting a man who had drifted away from the church. Sitting in front of a fire, the man stated adamantly that he didn’t need anyone else. In response, the pastor moved a coal from the fireplace to the mantle. In a matter of minutes, separated from the fire, it quickly went cold and lifeless. Point taken! We make choices, and we reap the consequences.
Colossians 3:23-24 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossians 3:23-24 NIV)
On that Israeli hillside, this little boy stayed available and connected. He could have kept his resources to himself, but instead, he became involved, and his sacrifice fed thousands!
Jesus could have kept his time, talent, and resources to Himself as well, but He didn’t. He involved Himself in the hunger of others, and a miracle ensued!
friend, how will you get involved today in the lives of others? You can care. You can give. You can offer your time. You can pray. And, Jesus will take it and multiply it to touch SO many! All He needs is the piece of you that you can offer! Leave the rest to Him! Let’s pray...
Heavenly Father, help us to choose involvement over apathy. Give us the courage to step out in faith and serve others. Help us to remember Your power and provision in our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Never forget my friend, you are a miracle!
